Only at Sebring! A dive into the history books
As Sebring is one of the oldest race tracks in the USA, there are many myths and legends. Here are some of our favourites from over the years.
Who from the WEC might be the next driver(s) or team(s) to create their own myth or legend, and be talked about in years to come?
1 Alec Ulmann suggests Sebring Airport as a site for a sports car road race
In 1950 the Sam Collier 6 Hour Memorial race was held on December 31 as the first ever racing event at Sebring and the first sports car endurance race held in the USA.
2 The Governor of Florida was once given a tour on the Sebring circuit while the race was going on!
In 1950 Sebring promoter Alec Ulmann took Gov. Fuller Warren on a lap around the track while the race was in progress. Can you imagine what Race Director Eduardo Freitas would say?
3 Several cars started the 1955 Sebring 12 Hours without permission, sneaking onto the track during the start.
Six drivers of reserve entries, unhappy they weren’t allowed to start, decided to go on to the track at the start. They all did one or two laps and then left the track.
4 Gene Hackman, James Brolin, Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and Patrick Dempsey are some of the well-known actors who have driven in the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Steve McQueen was a racer of considerable natural talent and at the 1970 Sebring 12 Hours he came 2nd after Ferrari put future F1 World Champion Mario Andretti into a car he was not originally scheduled to drive in order to beat McQueen’s Porsche. More recently WEC race winner and Le Mans podium finisher Patrick Dempsey has competed at the notoriously bumpy track.
5 The race was once red-flagged because an alligator was on track.
Untrue! Alligators have made their way on to the track at Sebring, but not during the race. WEC races have also seen cats, rabbits, hares and various birds during on track sessions. Let’s hope the noise of all our cars keeps the alligators away!
6 A movie starring Robert Redford was filmed at Sebring Raceway.
Portions of the 1975 Hollywood movie “The Great Waldo Pepper” were filmed at Sebring Airport and Sebring Raceway.
7 The race was once yellow-flagged because the track was running out of fuel for teams.
In 1983 a yellow flag was needed to allow a fuel truck to cross the track to bring more fuel. There were 83 cars in the race that year. Don’t think TOTAL will allow that to happen in 2019!
8 2013 World Endurance Champion and all-round Sebring and Le Mans legend, Tom Kristensen, waved to fans during a caution period while leading the 1999 Sebring 12 Hours.
Tom will only say “I could have…I might have”!
9 A spectator once arrived three months early to get in line for the race.
The earliest arrival was by Patrick Taylor of Palm Bay, Florida, who arrived on December 26th 2003, nearly three months before the race. That’s devotion to sportscar racing!
10 The 12 Hours of Sebring was once a 24-hour race.
Untrue! A common myth about Sebring, the race has never been a 24-hour race. In the USA the Rolex 24 at Daytona is an endurance classic, and internationally there is the one and only 24 Hours of Le Mans – the final round of the 2018-2019 FIA WEC Super Season this June – the race which every driver and team wants to win!
With grateful thanks to Sebring Raceway
